Welcome!

As part of the Indiana State Advantage, eligible students can receive between $1,000 to $3,000 for internships and other work-based experiences, study abroad, education abroad, research and creative activity, or a service trip. The experience is a one-time opportunity and students can apply for experiences that begin their second year of continued enrollment.

Student Eligibility

First-time, full-time, on-campus students entering ISU beginning in the fall 2022 term, and full-time, on-campus transfer students entering ISU beginning the spring 2023 term, are eligible for the Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant. All students that apply for the Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant must meet the following criteria:

1. Good academic and conduct standing.
2. The one-time grant will be available beginning the second year at Indiana State for on-campus students.
3. Continual, full-time enrollment (fall and spring) up to the semester/term of experience. (Students with an emergency break in enrollment are able to appeal.)
4. Award must be used within 10 semesters from the date the student enters ISU for on-campus, full-time, undergraduate instruction. The experience must be completed prior to graduation.
5. Receipt of the award is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to enroll in the semester for which the award is intended. Students with registration holds of any type are ineligible for the award.

Online-only or returning ISU students are not eligible for the Indiana State Experience Grant.

Eligible Activities

1. Internships and other work-based experiences: This category includes internships, off-campus practicum, co-ops, clinical experiences, student teaching and other experiences based in a professional, work environment. Visit the ISU Career Center for more information about internships. Social work, nursing, and student teaching please speak with your respective program advisor regarding eligibility. 
2. Study Abroad: This category includes intensive, credit-bearing study-abroad experiences that require the student to become immersed in the culture of the destination, as well as faculty-led study-abroad experiences. Visit the ISU Center for Global Engagement for more information about study abroad.
3. Service-Learning: This category includes both semester-long, local community engagement experiences in which the student takes a significant leadership role, and travel-based service experiences such as Alternative Break trips. Visit the ISU Center for Community Engagement for more information about service-learning.
4. Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity: This category includes research or creative opportunities, mentored by faculty, that involve the development or use of disciplinary and/or professional knowledge or skills in the advancement of scholarly questions or creative expression. Visit the Center for Student Research and Creativity for more information about research and creative activity.

Ineligible Activities

1. Student employment positions, including lab assistants unless part of an approved research experience
2. Traditional, service-learning courses-courses that are primarily classroom based but that require service
3. Volunteer activities that are not a part of an approved internship experience, service-trip or experience approved by the Center for Community Engagement
4. Student organization involvement and leadership
5. Conference registrations and related travel
6. Mission trips
7. Study abroad expereinces not approved by the Center for Global Engagement

Applications

Applications for the Indiana State Advantage Experience Grant will be available in the Branch. Each experience area will have specific open and close dates for their applications. Please visit the Branch to learn more.

Students will submit their applications through The Branch, ISU’s scholarship application system.

Application Deadlines for Fall 2024 Experiences

• Semester-Long (Fall Term) Study Abroad – Applications are due by June 1.
• Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity – Applications are due by June 1.
• Internships and Clinical Placements – Applications are due by August 15.
• Winter Alternative Break Service Trips – Applications are due by November 1.

Application Deadlines for Spring 2025 Experiences

• Bayh College of Education Student Teaching - Applications are due by September 15.
• Nursing Clinicals - Applications are due by October 1.
• Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity – Applications are due by November 1.
• Social Work Clinicals - Applications are due by November 1.
• Semester-Long (Spring Term) Study Abroad – Applications are due by December 1.
• Internships and Clinical Placements – Applications are due by December 15.
• Faculty-Led Study Abroad - Applications are due by February 15.
• Spring Alternative Break Service Trips - Applications are due by January 31.

Application Deadlines for Summer 2025 Experiences

• Summer Alternative Break Service Trips – Applications are due by February 28.
• Internships and Clinical Placements – Applications are due by April 15.
• Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity – Applications are due by April 15.
• Semester-Long (Summer Term) Study Abroad – Applications are due by May 1.
• Faculty-Led Study Abroad - Applications are due by February 15.

Grant Funding Available

Experience Grants range in amount from $1,000 to $3,000 based on the type of experience. Please reference the table below.

Students who participate in the Networks and Gongaware programs are not eligible for additional funding.

Updated on: 10/30/2024